Heating system.



W. C. FIELD.

HEATING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 1, 1915.

Patented June 20, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

HE COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH c0., WASHINGTON, D c- JUL 512m W. C. FIELD. .HEATING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION man MAR. 1. 1915.

Patented June 20, 1916.

' 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNIFIED @TATE@ PATENT UFFI@E.

WILLIAlVI C. FIELD, OF DECATUR, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB, 'I'O FIELD & SHORE COMPANY,

OF DECATUR, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINQIS.

HEATING SYSTEM.

Application filed March 1, 1915.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, VILLIAM C. FIELD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Decatur, in the county of Macon and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful. Improvements in Heating Systems, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in steam heating systems, and particularly to such systems of an atmospheric type.

The principal object of my invention is the provision of automatic means for forcing the water of condensation into the boiler so as to permit the proper circulation of the steam throughout the system and also the maintenance of the proper supply of water in the boiler. I

A further object of this invention is the provision of a receiving tank in the system to receive the water of condensation, having connection with the source of steam supply and provided with an automatically controlled valve, whereby, when the water in the receiving tank reaches a predetermined height, a supply of steam will be admitted thereinto to force the water into the boiler, the valve being controlled so that when the water recedes to a predetermined level, the valve will be operated to stop the supply of steam.

Further objects include improvements in the detailed. construction of the valve and the arrangement of the parts.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and such other objects as may hereinafter appear, my invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, and then sought to be defined in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings which show for the purpose of illustrative disclosure, a preferred embodiment of my invention, it being understood, however, that various changes may be made in practice within the scope of the claims without digressing from my inventive idea.

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents a diagrammatic view of an atmospheric steam heating system; Fig. 9. represents a view of the controlling valve and its operating parts, shown in the position assumed when,

admitting a supply of live steam into the receiving tank; Fig. 3 1s a similar View,

the valve being shown closed; Fig. 4 is asimilar new on a reduced scale, the valve Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 29, 1916.

Serial No. 11,210.

being shown closed, the parts being in position ust previous to operation, and Fig. 5 1s a detailed view of one of the parts.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to Fig. 1, 1 designates the boiler which generates steam for the system, steam passing through the main pipe 2, to reducing valve 3, where the pressure is reduced below that of the boiler, preferably to a half pound greater than atmospheric pres sure. The steam passes from the reducing valve 3 through the steam main 4 and branches 5 to the radiators 6, its admission thereto being controlled by means of the adjustable radiator valves 7.

8 designates the return pipes for the expelled air and water of condensation and 9 designates the air pipe. The return pipes lead to the receiving tank ,10, which has a connection 11 with the steam main 2 and the connection 12 with the steam boiler l. A suitable check valve 13 is provided in the return pipe adjacent the receiving tank 10 and a check valve 14.- is provided in the connection 12 between the receiving tank and the boiler. These parts just described, are similar to parts used in systems at present and it is found in operation of systems .of this character, that the static pressure which can be maintained, is not sufiicient to force the water of condensation back into the boiler against the pressure which is maintained therein. This results in the filling of the receiving tank and return pipes, interfering with the circulation and also preventing maintenance of a proper supply of water in the boiler which frequently results in material damage'to the boiler and system. To remedy this condition, I provide means for forcing the condensed water back into the boiler, this means including a valve automatically controlling the admission of steam in the receiving tank, so that when water reaches a certain level therein, the steam will be admitted to force the same into the boiler. This valve and its operating parts are shown in Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5, wherein the end of the connection 11 appears. It is to be understood that these parts are mounted within the receiving tank and consequently do not appear in Fig. 1.

I provide the casting 15 having the pas sages 16 therein, this casting being secured on the inner end of pipe 11, as shown, and having the partition 17 between the paslarged slot or recess 25.

sages 16 provided With the valve seat 18 passes through the top of the casting, as

' shown. Extending upwardly from this casting is the, arm or bracket 22 to which is pivotally secured an oscillating member 23 the pivot being shown at 24. This oscillating member or lever is provided with an enlarged, slightly curved slot or recess 25 to receive the pin 26 which passes through the spaced and apertured ears 27 on-the end of the member 28 into which the valve stem 20 is screwed, so that as the oscillating memher or lever is moved, the valve will be moved to and from its seat, play being allowed for a purpose hereinafter described. This movement of the valve is accomplished 'very' quickly, by means of the following connections. On this oscillating member or lever 23 is provided the extended runway or track 29 having end portions 30 and: the side rails or rods 31 to receive and guide the weighted ball member 32 which is adapted to run thereon, by gravity, this movement being controlled by the position of this oscillating member or lever. The movements of this oscillating member or lever are con trolled by means of the float 33' which is pivotally connected thereto. as at 34, by means of the bifurcated member 35 secured to'the end of the stem 36. The lower portion of the oscillating member or lever, adjacent its pivotal connection 34, is provided with the bearing surface or abutment 37 and the additional bearing surface or abutment 38 at an angle thereto, against each one of whiehthe bifurcated member 35 is adapted to engage in the different positions of the float, As stated hereinbefore, these parts are mounted within the receiving tank and are adjustable, so as to operate when desired. IV'e will assume that the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, and that condensed water ispassing into the receiving tank from the system. As

this water mounts, it raises the Heat 33, until the parts assume the position shown in Fig. 4, when the bifurcated member 35 engages the upper bearing surface or abutment 37. As the height of the water increases, the float rising, turns the oscillating member or lever 23 on its pivot 24, without, however, disturbing the valve, which is tight on its seat, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, this movemei'it'being possible, due to the en- This movement continues until the track or runway 29, just passes beyond a horizontal position. Immediately, the weighted ball member 32 rolls to the opposite end of the runway, so that due to the weight of this ball member,

the oscillating member or lever is quickly rocked on its pivot and the valve forced downwardly off its seat by means of the en gagement of the pin 26 with the upper edge of slot 25. This permits the admissirm of steam through pipell into the receiving tank, so that the pressure therein, equals that within the boiler, the check valve 13 being provided for the purpose of preventing admission of steam into the return pipes. Therefore, due to the static pressure, the water in the receiving tank will be forced into the boiler, the check valve 14 permitting its admission. This continues until the water reaches the lower desired level, when the bifurcated member 35 has engaged the additional bearing surface 38 and moved the oscillating member or lever beyond its horizontal position. This movement is made without disturbing the position of the valve, due to the size and shape of the slot 25, and as the track or run-way 29 passes beyond this horizontal position, the weighted ball member 32 will run quickly to the other end thereof, moving the oscillating member or lever 011 its pivot with a quick action, and immediately closing the valve, due to the engagement of the pin 26 with the lower edge of the slot 25. This cycle of operation continues from time to time, according to conditions.

It is therefore seen that I have provided means in a heating system, whereby the passage of the condensed steam to the boiler is positively controlled, so as to prevent the accumulation of this water in the system and the interference with the proper op eration thereof, thereby materially adding to the value of said systems and obviating the possibility of incorrect operation and damage thereto. It is of course understood, that the parts may be adjusted as desired, according to various working conditions. The water is forced into the boiler positively and thereby the boiler is prevented from burning out.

What I claim is,-

1. In a heating system, a. receiving tank adapted to be connected to the return pipe and to have connection with a. steam pipe and also with the boiler, a casting secured to said steam connection and having a valved passage therethrough, an oscillatory member pivoted to said casting and having a pivotal connection with said valve and a float controlling the operation of said oscillatory member so that when said float reaches a predetermined high level, the valve will be actuated to admit steam into said tank to equalize the pressure therein and in the boiler and permit the return water of condensation to flow into the boiler and when the float reaches a predetermined low level the valve will be actuated to prevent the admission of steam from the boiler and permit the accumulation of water of condensation in the tank.

2. In a heating system a receiving tank adapted to be connected to the return pipe and to have a connection with a steam pipe and also with the boiler, a casting secured to said steam connection and having a valved passage therethrough, an oscillatory member pivoted to said casting and having a loose pivotal connection with said valve, a float controlling the operation of said oscillatory member and a weighted member movable on said oscillatory member by gravity when the float reaches either a high or low predetermined level to positively and quickly complete the movement of said oscillatory member to actuate the valve, the connections being so arranged that the valve will be opened at the high level to admit steam into said tank to equalize the pressure therein and in the boiler and permit the return water of condensation to flow into the boiler and when the float reaches a predetermined low level the valve will be actuated to prevent the admission of steam from the boiler and permit the accumulation of water of condensation in the tank.

3. In a heating system, a receiving tank adapted to be connected to the return pipe and to have a connection with a steam pipe and also with the boiler, a casting secured to said steam connection and having a valved passage therethrough, an oscillatory member pivoted to said casting and having a loose pivotal connection with said valve, a float, means for pivotally connecting said float to said oscillatory member, the latter having bearing surfaces or abutments against which said float connection is adapted to bear when the float approaches either a high or low predetermined level, a weighted ball member mounted to move on said oscillatory member by gravity when the float reaches either level so as to positively and quickly complete the oscillation of said member and operate the valve quickly.

4t. A receiving tank for a heating system adapted to receive the Water from the return pipe and to have a connection with a steam supply pipe and also with a boiler, a member secured to said steam connection having a valved passage, a valve for controlling said passage, a valve actuating means including a lever or member pivotally mounted on said member to oscillate and having a slot on one side of said pivot, said valve having a slidable and pivotal connection with said lever or member by means of said slot, said lever or member having a runway with stops or abutments at each end, a gravity actuated member adapted to move on said runway and a float pivotally connected with the other side of said lever or member and adapted to bear thereagainst to move the lever or member so as to cause the gravity actuated member to move on the runway and oscillate the lever or member quickly whereby the valve is moved positively and quickly to an open or closed position.

5. A receiving tank for a heating system adapted to receive the water from the return pipe and to have a connection with a steam supply pipe and also with a boiler, a member secured to said steam connection having a valved passage, a valve for controlling said passage, a valve actuating means including a lever or member pivotally mounted on said member to oscillate and having a sloton one side of said pivot, said valve having a slidable and pivotal connection with said lever or member by means of said slot, said lever or member having a runway with stops or abutments at each end, a gravity actuated member adapted to move on said runway, said lever or member having bearing surfaces or abutments at angles to each other, a float pivotally connected to said lever or member on the side opposite the slot and having means adapted to bear against said bearing surfaces or abutments to move the lever or member so as to cause the gravity actuated member to move on the runway and oscillate the lever or member quickly, whereby the valve is moved positively and quickly to an open or closed position.

6. A valve including in combination a member having a passage therethrough, avalve for controlling said passage, a valve actuating means including a lever pivotally mounted on said member to oscillate and having a slot on one side of said pivot, said valve having a slidable and pivotal connec tion with said lever by means of said slot, said lever having a runway thereon with stops at each end, a gravity actuated member adapted to move 011 said runway, said lever having bearing surfaces at angles to each other, a float pivotally connected to said lever on the side opposite the slot, and having means adapted to bear against said bearing surfaces to move the lever to cause the gravity actuated member to move in the runway and oscillate the lever quickly, whereby the valve is moved positively and quickly to open or closed position.

In testimony whereof I sign my name in the presence of. two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM C. FIELD. lVitnesses Gnonon T. BEAN, V. R. BAtro'HnLnER.

Eopiea of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

